‘Name inconsistencies, same photo used repeatedly’: Ex-Maharashtra CM alleges discrepancies in poll rolls

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has accused irregularities in electoral rolls and the deletion of voter names across the country. Launching the nationwide 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' campaign in Ahmedabad, Chavan highlighted discrepancies in recent election results and corresponding electoral rolls, including the use of the same photograph and inconsistencies in names.

The Congress Party plans to hold community meetings at every polling booth and appoint 'vote rakshaks' across Gujarat. Regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, the Congress alleged that over 13 crore names were deleted from electoral rolls in 30 states. GPCC President Amit Chavda pointed out that Form 6, intended for new voters, requires individuals to provide details about polling booths from 25 years ago, potentially disenfranchising millions of eligible young people.

Chavan also raised concerns about the amendment in December 2023 that removed the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from the selection committee, replacing him with a Cabinet Minister. This move, he claimed, threatens the autonomy of the Election Commission. The Congress demanded the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a transparent appointment process for the Election Commission, legal action against wrongdoers, and a return to voting via ballot papers.

Chavda also alleged that serious questions were raised about the impartiality, neutrality, and transparency of the Election Commission in the past, despite substantial evidence, no action was taken. In Gujarat, the Congress claimed that over 60 lakh fake voters were identified, with 14.61% of the 5,08,43,436 registered voters either deceased, duplicates, or migrants.